Basketball Victoria signs Pledge of Pride

BASKETBALL Victoria has joined with fellow state sporting organisations to send an important message of acceptance and celebration with the signing of the Pledge of Pride.

On behalf of our organisation, Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey signed the Pledge of Pride, an initiative of Pride Cup Australia which demonstrates a sport’s commitment to welcoming all athletes, employees and volunteers regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

On Tuesday 26 February, Pride Cup Australia and VicHealth also launched the official Pride Cup Handbook, The Handbook is a resource designed to help sporting organisations and clubs create successful, inclusive and meaningful LGBTI+ inclusion events by providing case studies, tips and real-life scenarios.

Honey said being a signatory to the pledge was a significant moment for Victorian sport and one Basketball Victoria is proud to support.

“It is important to Basketball Victoria that the Victorian basketball community, just like all areas of our community, is safe, inclusive and welcoming to everyone,” Honey said. “Our organisation signed the Pledge of Pride as we stand by our cornerstone beliefs in providing a pathway for all players as well as standing as a leader in our area.

“Basketball will always be a sport that supports every members of our community, regardless of who they are or who they love.”

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said providing the Handbook to sporting clubs would make it easier for clubs and codes to host their own Pride Cup events.

“We are proud to partner with Pride Cup because we know that inclusion is fundamental to good health and wellbeing for everyone,” Ms Rechter said. “That a sense of exclusion – from sport or society generally – has contributed to LGBTIQ+ people having some of the poorest mental health outcomes in Australia. “We want to build a sports community in which LGBTIQ+ players and fans feel safe, respected and included – anytime, anywhere. We strongly encourage all sports clubs that want send a message of inclusion to their community to host a Pride Cup.”